Aurora Borealis Could Dip Down To Massachusetts Monday

MASSACHUSETTS — People as far south as Alabama and other areas of the country who aren’t used to seeing the aurora borealis were treated to a jaw-dropping light show Sunday, and more northern lights displays Monday are possible as far south as Alabama and northern California.

On Friday, the sun let off a huge burst of energy known as a coronal mass ejection that triggered the ethereal displays, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

CMEs, as they’re known, have their own magnetic fields. The giant blob of energy traveled toward Earth at around 2 million miles per hour, according to NOAA, setting off a severe geomagnetic storm.

NOAA said a watch for a moderate geomagnetic storm remains in effect Monday in states through the nation’s midsection. Aurora forecasts are notoriously tricky and can quickly change. The best times to look are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., away from dark areas and city lights, according to NOAA.

In Massachusetts, cloudy skies might hamper any views of the aurora borealis. According to forecasts, the state will see partly cloudy skies late Monday into Tuesday with a chance of showers.